The world’s first luxury hybrids!

Play on the Lexus ads? LOL!

Diesels FTW. I hope hybrids suffer massive losses so they’ll be forced to cease production. Yes, I hate hybrids that much.

Since they have the lowest mpg compared to BMW and Audi, they really needed hybrid and diesel.

I wonder three things about hybrids:

1) what are they like to drive? Are they something you’d look forward to driving, or do they feel like you’re sacrificing something in order to get better fuel economy?
2) there’s an awful lot of talk about hybrids these days; are they here to stay, or is this just a case of everybody jumping on the “green bandwagon”, just to appear to be responsible auto makers to the buying public?
3) how much better IS the gas mileage, really? If those numbers for the Mercedes are accurate, that would be impressive indeed. But I suspect the reality will be much less impressive—just as the Prius has turned out to be.

Jesus, I thought people would leave all that bull**** to Lexus. Mercedes, please don’t ruin yourself by getting into useless hybrid vehicles that don’t even help the environment that much.

If you want recognition for being green, keep doing your diesel thing and make an alternative fuel car.

Diesel is the future. Then hopefully something that is cleaner, but right now diesel is the answer.

To Scott Kempton:

1) What are they like to drive? – Right now, for the most part, they’re not to exciting to drive unless you get a performance oriented car. They’re a normal car with more torque but more weight. Cars like the GS450h and LS600h have nice acceleration but it drives soft like a Lexus. Cars like the LF-1 and the planned FT-HS will change the way people look at hybrid cars.

2) There’s an awful lot of talk about hybrids these days; are they here to stay, or is this just a case of everybody jumping on the “green bandwagon”? – Electric hybrids are here to stay no matter what people think. The future may be powered by diesel, fuel cell, hydrogen, water or whatever, but it will definitely be a combination with hybrid technology.

3) How much better IS the gas mileage, really? – Even though the Prius is lower than EPA 2007 tests, it still gets very good gas mileage. The 2008 EPA estimates are FAR more accurate. Hybrid gas mileage will greatly improve with the advent of safe lithium battery use and serial configurations.

Kaizen—-thanks for the response.

I suspect what’ll determine the future of hybrids is what happens when the battery pack finally needs replacing. If it’s a $500-$800 job at 100,000 miles or something, like a timing belt, then I think people will tolerate that expense. But if it’s a $4000 job, then that will severly, and adversely, effect a hybrid car’s resale value the closer it gets to needing that new battery pack, and people will really shy away from a car that they know is going to have horrible resale value.

Also—there’s an article in the new Automobile Magazine about their experience with a Prius. They’ve had it now for about a year, and their overall mileage is 41.7 over about 22,000 miles. That’s certainly impressive if you’re used to a truck or something, but it’s not that much better than many other small cars with “conventional” powertrains. I get 35MPG on the highway in my ‘03 Passat.

67_L-88: is that a diesel under the hood of your ‘67 L-88?

a 4Cyl S series?? thats another first in a luxury car by Mercedes and the S line

Mercedes has a winner on its hands. This setup is far better than what Lexus offers.

Toyota and Honda……..I’m still waiting your diesel.

I’ve given up waiting for Ford or GM.

I don’t discount hybrids as being a bad technology…I’m just waiting 2-3 more years when the first batch of hybrids are going to need new batteries. Then I’m gonna watch the people bitch about their high cost…hahah. Those batteries are quite large/numerous, I can only imagine the recycling fees/cost of the new ones dealers are going to jack people for. From what I understand, most hybrid batteries should be good for ~7-8 years…that’s fine for the first owner, but it’s gonna hurt their resale value once people start figuring this out. Right now I’d wager the average hybrid owner hasn’t even thought about this future cost.

Wouldn’t the first generation of Prius hybrids be about reaching that 7-8 year mark?

Granted automotive companies can do some stupid things, but it would seem pretty illogical, if they are trying to promote hybrid technology, to leave the owners of hybrid vehicles with astronomical bills as the batteries wear out/need replacement/recycling/or disposal.

Anyone have any inside information?

Even Mercedes is chasing General Motors in the hybrid game. Bob and Rick must be laughing their asses off in Detroit. The Germans are always so late to the game. And yet it won;t be half as impressive as the GM systems.

1487_GM_sales – Do some research mate. Its practically the same hybrid system. Remember the GM/BMW/Daimlerchrysler collabration on Hybrid. well this is the result

And, of course, the brains in Sacramento will not allow any new Bluetec diesels into California. Think about that – an old stinky diesel is OK but a new non-stinky diesel is verboten.

The “brains” is Sacramento need to be flushed out

Haha, not quite Scott. But remember, an L-88 is an old school car. Also, can you remember what was under the hood of the audi that won this years 24 hours of Le Mans…

L-88: yeah, I know what an L88 is. I was teasing. And yes, I do know what was under the hood of this year’s LeMans winner. I wish I could have heard that car as it was racing; I understand it was pretty awesome. I’m curious to see just how much steam this diesel fad has.

HughJass—people who already own the old, stinky Mercedes in Ca. can keep them, but you can bet Mercedes would never be allowed to sell those same cars now.

I think we should all keep in mind that it was the “brains” in our government who started us down this road to lower emmissions way back in ‘68. And I’m really glad they did; I lived in L.A. in ‘68, and I have distinct memories of how horrible the pollution was back then. If it hadn’t been for our politicians way back then, do you think any of the manufacturers would have voluntarily reduced emmissions? I sincerely doubt it. Maybe, just maybe, they do do something useful.

Scott: enough is enough

Diesel may be a fad. But I’m personally im hoping not scott. At least not till something better such as electric or hydrogen cars become available. And i am impressed u know what an L-88 is.

MERCEDES-BENZ SHAPING THE FUTURE WITH A EXTREMELY BRIGHT TORCH.

VERY INTERESTING MODELS FROM MERCEDES-BENZ.

GREAT GREAT THINGS IN STORE AS WELL…..THIS WILL BE GREATLY SUPRISING.